Manatee car dealers see surging sales

MANATEE — The old chestnut, “there’s never been a better time to buy a new car” may actually be true right now in Manatee County.

In the wake of recalls of its vehicles due to various problems, Toyota is offering zero to low interest rates and other incentives to American car buyers in order to get customers back.

Other manufacturers are followed suit, leading to a surge in car sales nationwide this month, according to Edmunds.com, an Internet site devoted to helping people purchase cars.

During the first eight days of March, U.S. vehicle sales rose to an annual rate of 12.5 million, which, if that pace continued, would out-pace 2009 by two million vehicles, according to the Associated Press.

Management officials at local dealerships selling Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler and other lines all agree sales are up from last year.

“If you are looking to purchase a car, there’s never been a better time,” said Ernie Withers, general manager of Auto Way Ford at 3400 14th St. W. “The incentives are as good as they have ever been.”

Ford is offering zero percent interest for 72 months on select vehicles, Withers added.

Local car executives balked at discussing Toyota’s role in the surge. Withers credits an economy moving upward.

“We are showing an increase in sales and we feel 2010 is shaping up to be a really good year,” Withers said. “I just think it’s the improvement in the economy overall.”

Toyota’s role “has not had an effect on our sales,” Withers said.

Ford’s Focus and Fusion are top-sellers during this surge, Withers said.

Not only March, but all of 2010 is tracking for more sales than the first quarter of 2009, said Edward Dreyer, executive sales manager of Firkins Chrysler Jeep & Dodge, at 2700 First St., Bradenton.

“We are going up the hill,” Dreyer said. “The way we are looking at this is that the economy has turned around.”

Vans, like the Town and Country, and Dodge trucks and Jeeps are selling very well, Dreyer said.

“I will tell you, we have seen steady growth since the third quarter of last year,” said Kris Cox, executive manager of Cox Chevrolet, 2900 Cortez Road.

“It’s been double digit growth,” the 32-year-old Cox added. “In fact, we are actively seeking new hires of salespeople, technicians and managers.”

Chevrolet is offering 0 percent interest for 60 months on certain vehicles, said Cox, a fifth generation Cox family member whose great-great-grandfather, James Cox, started the company in Georgia. James Cox came to Manatee County in 1932.

Cox said his generation had never been through anything like 2007 through parts of 2009.

“I have never gone through an economic time like this,” Cox said. “But now I think people are a little more confident in the direction of our future. We are not out of the woods, but we are seeing signs. I think most people are perceiving the worst is over.”

Banks are also helping local auto dealers by being a bit more open-minded about saying “yes” to customers with credit problems, Cox said.

Like the others, Cox didn’t even want to mention the word, Toyota,

“I really don’t have a comment on that,” Cox said. “It’s tough to comment on that. It really is.”

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 748-0411, ext. 6686.